Definition: Breakthrough pain is the term for pain you feel even when you are on medication that usually controls your pain. Sometimes you know what might have led to breakthrough pain, but many times breakthrough pain happens without any identifiable cause.
Some doctors prescribe additional medication for breakthrough pain, but you may be able to control it using complimentary techniques such as relaxation or distraction.
Also Known As: episodic pain
Common Misspellings: break through pain
Examples: If you take gabapentin for nerve pain, but suddenly experience additional shooting pains, you could be having breakthrough pain.
